Following a 104-101 loss to the Pistons on Friday, the Knicks’ street document dropped to 2-10 however they nonetheless maintain a 17-15 document and are in eighth place within the Japanese Convention, which led Van Gundy to supply some commentary on the Knicks’ schedule.

“A cynical particular person — which I am not — would say the league tried to assist them and construct some confidence in the beginning of the yr by giving them loads of dwelling video games and giving them an opportunity to get going and decide up some confidence,” he stated. “That is what a cynical particular person would say. Not me. It is simply by probability they obtained so many dwelling video games early on.”

When requested about it, Hornacek stated he had no response.

“You play 82,” he stated. “You play 41 at dwelling and 41 on the street, so….”

The Knicks play 16 of their subsequent 20 video games on the street following Monday’s matchup in opposition to the Sixers, however Hornacek just isn’t nervous in regards to the street woes.

“I feel the street video games give us a possibility. I do not think about it a crossroads,” he stated. “It’d give us an opportunity to get a bit of rhythm on the street. After we’re enjoying one recreation in, then we’re again dwelling, then 5 days later we exit on one other one recreation journey, typically you may’t get right into a rhythm. … I take a look at this as a possibility for us to develop and compete.”

FRANKLY SPEAKING

Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina will get his first style of enjoying on Christmas and the 19-year-old stated it takes on a bit of additional significance for him.

“Very excited,” he stated. “Again in France I used to be watching all of the Christmas video games all these years and now to being part of it and to play it, it means loads to me. So I am enthusiastic about this recreation, and with this workforce we’ll do what we will do to win.”

Ntilikina will even be matching up in opposition to fellow rookie Ben Simmons. It will likely be the primary time the 2 will play in opposition to one another and will current for a rivalry to come back over the subsequent few years, but Ntilikina doesn’t see it that manner.

“I do not suppose that a lot about it,” he stated. “Truthfully, I simply take into consideration the sport and what is going to occur tomorrow and this week. Not that a lot about what is going to occur in a few years. I am simply centered on what now we have to do proper now so I do not suppose that a lot about it.”

INJURY UPDATES

Knicks heart Kyle O’Quinn didn’t take part in Sunday’s follow because of an sickness. He’s possible for Monday’s recreation in opposition to the 76ers. Guard Courtney Lee additionally didn’t take part and was absent because of a private cause. He’s anticipated to be with the workforce on Monday.